Monday May the 13th signalled the beginning of the RoadPeace Challenge, our annual week of activity to commemorate all the 1766 road deaths in 2022; and what a start it was.
Two teams comprising of contingents of both the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, West Sussex County Council and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, armed with their waterproof jackets, braved the fierce south coast weather for their Challenge Walk. They donned their RoadPeace T-shirts ready to face the wind and rain in their aim to make the 10.2 and 11.2 mile journey to Brighton and back to Shoreham and Saltdean, respectively.
Waiting for them as they marched over the halfway point were representatives from all the emergency services in the County, including Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dobinson, who was also interviewed by BBC Sussex to publicise the Challenge.
A small memorial service at the Peace statue on Hove seafront then took place, with Tom Hart, Programme & Education Supervisor for SRSP, kicking off proceedings. Starting with a minute’s silence commemorating all those who were killed in collisions on Sussex Roads.
Jo Shiner, the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, is an ardent supporter of RoadPeace and had this to add “This year’s Challenge gives us an opportunity to remember and honour the 1766 people who lost their lives on UK roads in 2022 … that number is quite frankly unacceptable and we must continue to come together to show our commitment and drive to reducing it”
Buoyed by the sun breaking its way through the clouds for the return leg back, our walkers shook off the rain and made tracks home. On completing their mission, all 23 participants contributed a mammoth 206 miles toward the target; an incredible accomplishment.
Individual challenges just like these were integral to the success of the RoadPeace challenge, helping us to absolutely SMASH our target for the week – getting participants across the country to clock up 1766 miles by cycling, walking and running.
You can make a secure donation to RoadPeace through our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/roadpeacechallenge
Updated on: 16 May 2024